Can-head-feed mechanism.



A. JOHNSON. CAN HEAD FEED MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED DEO. 5, 1910.

1,074,325, Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I lulummm IIIIIIIIII I A. JOHNSON. CAN HEAD FEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED no.5. 1910.

Patented Sept. 30, 1913. 2' SHEETS-SH mii mw r UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

AXEL JOHNSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN CAN COMPANY,

A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CAN-HEAD-FEED MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

.7 '0 all whom it may-concern Be it known that I, AXEL J OHNSON,acitizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county ofAlameda and State of California, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Can-Head-Feed' relative to an end flanged can body asconveyed toward the seaming mechanism for securing the can head or coverto the flanged end of the can body and in canning establishments orfactories for feeding the can heads or covers to the flanged end ofafilled can as conveyed toward the seaming mechanism for securing thehead or cover to the flanged end of the can. a

' The hereinafter described can head or 'cover feeder comprises a canhead holder and a can head feed slide or blade adapted to automaticallyfeed or deliver the can' heads or covers from the holder one by one tothe flanged can bodies as they are moved toward the can head feedmechanism, the

releasing means for the held can heads or covers being actuated by theaction of the propelled end flanged cans or can bodies and means forforcing inwardly the feed bladeto cut out or separate the lowermost canhead from thestack of held heads and holding such separated bodyof canheads within the can head holder.

To comprehend the invention reference should be had to the accompanyingsheet of drawings, wherein Figure l is a side sectional view of theimproved can head feeder, the means for feeding the flanged can bodiesthereto and actuating the lever for forcing inwardly the can head feedslide blade being partly broken away and in vertical section. Fig. 2 isa part broken plan view of the mechanism disclosed by Fig. 1 of thedrawings. Fig. 3 is a detail. broken lan view of the rotary carrier forconveying the flanged cans or" bodies toward the can head cover or feedmechanism. Fig. 4 is a plan view ofthe-can head feed blade and the canhead holder.

Fig. 5 is a broken detail elevation, partly in section, of the can heador cover holder and the feed blade in position for sustaining the bodyof can heads or covers. Fig. 6 is a broken detail elevation of the cancarrier and can head guide ring, the latter being sectioned; v

In the drawings, the numeral 1 is u'sedto represent the frame of themachine, the same being of any suitable form'or construction adapted togive support to the other parts, and 2 a rotary carrier provided with external segmental can holders 3. This carrier 2 is mounted on a verticalshaft 4: ex-- tended through the frame of the machine, to the lower endof which is secured a drive gear 5 driven from any suitably connecteddrive mechanism.

To a bracket 6 upwardly extended from the frame 1 is secured a guideplate 7, through which Works a reciprocating feed blade 8, whichmovesbeneath a guide ring 9 attached to the inner end of the guide plate7 to stand in vertical alinement with one of the external segmental canholders 3,

when the carrier 2 is at a state of rest, Fig." 1

. holders 3 of the rotaryicarrier 2 toward the can head or cover feedmechanism, the said support 12 being provided with an upward extension14 which serves as a guide wall for holding the flanged can bodies orcans within the segmental holders as conveyed toward and from the canhead feeder.

As stated, the feed blade 8 works through the guide plate 7, andpreferably the same is thrown inwardly by a lever 15 fulcrumed .to thebracket 6, constituting a portion of theframe 1, the said lever at itsupper end being forced inwardly by the pressure of a heavy compressionspring 17 interposed between the bracket 6 and the lower end portion ofthe fulcrumed lever 15, the pressure ofwhich holds the lower end of thesaid lever normally outward. The said leveris actuated to throwoutwardly its upper end by'a plurality of inclined cams 16 inwardlyprojected from the rim of the gear 5, the said cams during the rotationof the gear 5 being successively engaged by an anti-friction roller 16,on the connecting link 17 working through a guide 17. The slide blade 8,when released, as hereinafter explained, is preferably thrown outwardlyby a spring 18, acting against a pivoted lever arm 18, the upper end ofwhich is in engagement with the outer end portion of the slide blade 8,Fig. 1 of the drawings, and serves to return the same outwardly afterhaving been forced inwardly by the action of the lever 15. The saidlever 15 at its upper end bears loosely against the outer end of theslide blade, when the same is in its outward position, Fig. 1 of thedrawings. The rotary movement of the gear 5 is so timed that the roller16 will be in engage-- ment with one of the cams 16 to draw the lowerend of the fulcrumed lever 15 inwardly and hold outwardly the upper endthereof on the slide blade 8 being released for outward movement. As theroller 16 moves off of the inclined cam 16, the pressure of the spring17*, which is secured at.

one end to the lever 15 and at its opposite end to the bracket 6, exertsitself'to force outwardly the lower end of said lever 15 tothrow'inwardly the. upper end thereof, the pressure of which spring issuflicient to overcome the resistance of the spring 18 to throw theslide 8 in opposition thereto. The feed slideblade 8 when moved inwardby the throw of the lever 15 is held locked in said position by means ofthe locking catch 19, working through the guide plate 7 and normallyheld inwardly pressed by the action of the spring 19, and said catchengages with the notched section 20 of the feed slide blade 8 at oneside thereof adjacent its inner end, Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings. Thelocking catch 19 is carried at the upper end of a rotatable stud 20, tothe lower end of which is attached a projecting cam lever 21, whichlever projects within the path of the flanged cans or can bodies 13 asconveyed by the carrier 2 toward the can head or cover feed mechanism.As the cam lever 21 is engaged by a propelled can or can body 13, thesame is forced outwardly, turning the stud 20 to release the lock catch19 from engagement with the feed slide 8, which is withdrawn frombeneath the guide ring 9 by the action ofthe spring pressed arm 18",allowing the entire stack of retained can heads or covers 11 to lowerthe thickness or depth of one can head or cover. By this time the endflanged can or can body to receive a head or cover will rest directlybeneath the guide ring and the can heads, the said feed slide or blade 8when so positioned supporting the entire stack of heads with theexception of the lowermost one which is cut out or separated fromtheremainder of the stack, the same being held free within the guidering, rest ing either loosely on the flanged end of the can body or can,or, as hereinafter explained, loosely within the external segmental.holder of the rotary carrier 2. The

moment the feed slide 8 is moved inwardly the lock-catch 19 moves intoengagement with the notched section 20 of the said slide and holds thesame in such position as a support. for the stack of-heads or coversuntil the cam lever is acted on by another can or can body.

In the present case, each segmental can holder 3 is formed with asegmental groove 3 into which the out out can head or cover 11 isdeposited a slight distance above the open flanged end of the can bodyor can, being retained therein by the supporting rib 3 inwardlyprojecting from the segmental wall 14. The can cover 'or head is thussupported above the flanged end of the can or can body a slight distanceand is carried in alinement with the canor can body by the rotarycarrier until delivered to the mechanism for seaming the can head orcover to the flanged end of the can or can body. However, the can heador cover may be loosely applied to the flanged end of the can or canbody direct from the can head feeder, such depending on the type of theseaming mechanism employed and also as to whether the heads are to beapplied to a flanged end filled can or to a flanged end can body. I

The cans or can bodies 13 are delivered onto thesupport 12 in. avertical position and in this position are conveyed bythe rotary carrier2 toward the can head or cover feed mechanism, and it is the action ofthe propelled can bodies or cans which act successively to release thelock catch for the feed blade. The can heads or covers are thus onlyreleased bythe action of the'end flanged cans or bodies, consequentlythe".

heads or covers are onl supplied on a flanged end can or body beingpositioned to receive the same. In other words the operation of theworking parts is such that i a can is not conveyed or propelled towardthe feed mechanism for the can heads or covers, a release of thelowermost one of the supported stackof the heads or covers does not takeplace, inasmuch as a cantor body must be propelled for. action againstthe cam lever 21 in order to release the retained heads or covers. .Thefirst action ofv the propelled 'can or body to receive a head orcover'is'to throw the cam leverifi) release the locking catch 19,when"tlie spring pressed arm 18 forces outwardly the feed slide blade 8,permitting the entire stack of covers or heads 11 to lower through theguide ring 9 a distance equal to the depth of one cover or head, whenthe action of the fulcrumed lever 15 forces inwardly the said feed slideblade to cut out the lowermost one of the stack of coversor heads and touphold the remainder, the feed slide blade when so moved inwardly beinheld locked in such position by the locking catch 19 ,until released bythe action ofanother can or can body throwing the cam lever 21;

The working of the various parts of the machine is entirely automatic,and the Working of the associate parts so timed as to come into actionat the-- proper moment. Preferably the rotary carrier 2 is, driven withan intermittent movement, but-this is an immaterial feature.

Referring to Figs. 2. and a or the drawings, it will be noted that thesurface'of the rotary carrier 2 is cut away at; a gradual downwardinclination from the point a adjacent the forward upper edge of each ofthe external segmental can holders 3, onto which inclined surfaces'thereleased can head or cover seatsitself and is gradually-lowered onto theflangedend of the can or can body to which it is to be applied, or inthepresent case, onto the segmental rib 3 and within the segmental groove 3of the can or can bo'dy' holders 3 for support immediately above and inalinement' with the flanged opened end of the held can or can body.

The mentioned inclined seat may be said to constitute'a curvedoutwardfinclined extension of the external segmental can or bodyholders, the purpose thereof being to prevent a' sudden dropping of thereleased canhead or cover.

The undersurface of the feed slide blade Sis in substantial alinementwith the'upper surface of the rotary carrier 2 which partly cov'ersthebottom of the guide ring 9, Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, hence whenthe can stackedheadsor covers are released they are temporarilysustained by said rotary carrier and the rib 3 until the feed slideblade 8 1s forced inwardly to cut out the'lowermost.

one of the stack of heads or covers.

. Having thus described the inventlon what is claimed as new and desiredto protect by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine for the describedpurpose,

' the combination with'a' carrier provided with a plurality of holders'for'receiving and holding can bodies to havehe'adS applied thereto, ofa can head holder, a can head feeder for successively delivering canheads into alinement with the open end,- of cans carried by the carrier,a lock catch for normally holding the feeder locked against movement,means acted on by the propelled cans for releasing the lock catch of thecan head feeder, and mechanism for actuating the can. head feeder forreleasing heads successively-from the holder.

2. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with a rotarycarrier provided with a plurality of vertically disposed externalsegmental can holders, of a can head holder held above the rotarycarrier, a

ended cans in vertical position, a nonrotating support for said cans, ofa can head holder arranged above the carrier and in alinement with thecan holders carried thereby, a spring actuated reciprocating can headfeed slide workingv beneath the can head holder and normally sustaininga stack of can heads therein, lock means for holding the said feed slidelocked beneath the can head holder, a device within the path of andacted on successively by the propelled cans for releasing the lock meansto permit the withdrawal of the feed slide from beneath the stack ofretained heads, and mechanism acted on by the rotary carrier for forcinginwardly the feed slide to cut out the lowermost can headof the stack ofsaid heads.

' 4'. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with ahorizontally rotary carrier provided with a plurality of verticallydisposed external segmental can holders, of a stationary segmental cansupport concentric with said carrier, a can head holder above thecarr1er,a reciprocating feed slide for sustaining a stack of can heads 1within the'holder, devices for holding the slide in locked positionbeneath the stack of can heads, means thrown into action by a propelledcan for releasing the feed slide, and mechanism for actuating the said.feed

stack of .can heads from the holder and depositing the same immediatelyabove a can positioned by the carrier beneath the can head holder..

5. In a machine for the described punpose, the combinationwith a rotarycarrier slide to separate the lowermost head of the v provided with aplurality of external vertically disposed segmental can holders, and canhead supporting seats, of a cooperating stationary can head supportingseat, a can head holder arranged above the oarrier,'a reciprocating canhead feed slide operating with the holder to release and successivelydischarge can heads immediately above the open end of cans positioned bythe carrier beneath the can head holder, a lock device for said feedslide, mechanism for imparting reciprocating movement of the feed slide,and means thrown into action by the propelled cans for releasing thelocked feed slide.

6. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with acarrier provided with a plurality of can holders for receiving andholding open end cans in vertical position, of a can head holder adaptedto contain a stack of can heads located above the carrier, a slide platefor successively delivering can heads from the holder and positioningthe same in alinement with the open end of a can positioned beneath theholder,

a lock device for normally holding the slide plate locked with respectto the can head holder,.and means acted on by the propelled cans forreleasing the said lock device to free the said slide plate.

7. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with a rotarycarrier provided with a plurality of external vertically disposedsegmental can holders, of an automatic can head feeder situated abovethe rotary carrier for alinement with the can holders thereof as movedbeneath the same, devices for. normally holding the can head feederlocked against movement, and means acted on by the propelled cans foractuating said devices to release the feeder for successively deliveringcan heads immediately above the cans as positioned beneath the same.

8. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with a rotarycarrier provided with a plurality of vertically disposed can holders, ofa stationary can support, a segmental .wall co-acting with the rotarycarrier for the holding of flanged cans in the holders thereof, a canhead holder. a reciprocating can head slide normally held locked beneaththe can head holder for sustaining a stack of heads therein, devicesacted on by the propelled cans for releasing the said slide, and meansfor actuating the released slide for successively discharging the canheads from the holder immediately above the open end of the cans aspositione beneath the said can head holder.

9. In a'machine for the described purpose,

combination of a rotary carrier provided with a plurality of can holdersfor cans to receive heads, a can head holder provided with a guide ringthrough which heads are discharged, a reciprocating feed slide bladeworking beneath said ring for sustaining heads therein, a lock devicefor normally holding the feed slide against movement,

mechanism for imparting reciprocating movement to the feed slide bladewhen released, and meansfwithin the path :of and acted on by'the canspropelled by the rotary carrier fol-actuating the lock device of thefeed slide blade to release the same for successively feeding can headsto and immediately above the propelled cans.

11. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with arotary carrier provided with a plurality of vertically dis: posed canholders, of means co-acting there with for securing. open top cansinvertical position within said holders, a spring held can head feederfor successively supplying can heads to the held cans one at a time,locking means for the can head afeeder, a device acted on by the canspropelled by the carrier for releasing the locking means for the canhead feeder for the release of can heads and delivery thereof to thepropelled cans immediately above the open end 'thereof, and mechanismfor restoring the can head feeder to locked position.

12. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with arotary carrier provided with a plurality of can holders, of a can headholder, a reciprocating can head feed slide co-acting therewith, aspring held arm acting against the slide for outward movement,afulcrumed lever for throwing the slide inwardly, a lock device forholding the slide normally inward and beneath the can head holder, andmeans acted on by the cans propelled by the carrier to release the feedslide for successively feeding can heads to the propelled cans.

13. In a machine for the described pur-' pose, the combination with acarrierfor the cans to receive heads, of 'acan head holder, areciprocating head feed slide blade, a spring held lock catch fornormally holding the slide beneath the holder, means actuated during themovement of the. carrier operat-, ingthe slide to'cut out the lowermostcan head of the stack of heads within the holder,

a cam lever within thepath of the propelled cans and actuated thereby todisengage the lock catch-to release the feedslide blade, and spring heldmeans for throwing-outwardly the-released feed slide blade.

14. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with acarrier for the cans to receive heads, of a reciprocating feed slideblade, a can head holder controlled thereby, locking means for normallyholding the feed slide beneath the can head holder, a

device thrown into action by the propelled cans for releasing thefeed-slide, and devices for actuating thefeed slide for successivelyfeeding can head covers to and immediately above the open end of thepropelled cans.

15. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with a cancarrier provided with a plurality of can holders, means for securing thecans within the holders during the movement of the carrier, of

'a vertically disposed holder above the carrier and in alinement withthe can holders as carried beneath the same, said holder adapted tocontain a stack of can head covers, a head feed slide working beneaththe can head holder and normally sustaining the stackof covers therein,locking means for holding the said slide normally inward and beneath thecan head holder, and devices automatically and successively thrown intooperation for releasing the said locking means to free the feed slideand move the same outwardly to uncover the can head holder for thelowering of the stack ofcovers therein to place the lowermost onethereof within a can holder positioned beneath the can head holder, andto move the said slide inwardly to separate the lowermost cover from thestack of covers and close the can head holder.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

AXEL JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

N; A. ACKER, D. B. RICHARDS.

